Website Research

Firstly, looking at the mark scheme, I looked at what makes an effective webpage..

• Level 4 48–60 marks• There is evidence of excellence in the creative use of most of the following technical

skills:• • producing material so that it communicates clearly to the ‘reader’ and is appropriate

to the audience, using the conventions of web publishing to enable the ‘reader’ to navigate the material appropriately;

• • using ICT effectively to appropriately integrate images, written text, sound and video;• • using conventions of image, video and sound production appropriately and

effectively;• • accurately using language and register, showing awareness of the need for variety in

fonts and text size.

Artist webpage criteria:• -Enable ‘reader’ to navigate through the content effectively• -Effective use of ICT, images, text, sound and video• -Using conventions of image, video and sound production appropriately• -Accurately using language and register including a variety of fonts and text sizes• -Appropriate use of colour, synergy with digipak etc. – convey a consistent image

Why have a website:• To interact with fans• Easy access to all information and products to do with the artists• Multimedia platform• Convenient for the fans to find out more about the artist in one place• Interactivity and engaging with fans through the use of forums, comments section, upload

section, video diaries etc.

We expect certain things when we go onto websites these are called the common conventions. On the top of the Web page you will see a bar with a range of tabs.

• Home - This is just a link back to the home page if you leave it and wish to return.• About/Biography - Information on what inspired the artist to create the music that they produce.

Also when the artist started to first of all make music and how much of a struggle it was.• Live events and tours - Information about upcoming appearances. This would include links to

ticket websites.• Music videos / Vlogs - will give access to music videos and daily vlogs.• Photos/Gallery - Images of the artist. Can include photos from the studio, as well as live

appearances.• Merchandise - Gives fans the opportunity to purchase some of the artist merchandise such as; t

shirts, hoodies, Mugs, posters and calendars • Sign Up/Login - This is where fans can join mailing list or login as a member of the fan club.

Example one: LabrinthVisually interesting photo with complex header picture which makes you look at for a while to figure out what is going on in the picture and what this represents

Shortcuts to his facebook and twitter page so they can tweet/follow/post on his facebook etc

All his music videos/work posted so fans can watch/listen to his latest songs

Range of tabs for fans to explore, including ‘gigs’ so fans can check tour dates and shows so they can watch him live. As well as a ‘news’ tab so they can keep up to date with what Labrinth is up to

So fans can purchase Labrinth goods including t-shirts, albums etc

• Labrinth’s webpage is visually interesting as he used images that would draw someone in and by having an interesting, consistent theme throughout his whole webpage. It is visually interesting as he has considered every detail in the images eg. In his glasses there is another image. Also the dark, sci-fi feel of the webpage entices the audience

• This website allows fans to engage with him by promoting his social networking sites by adding links to them on his website allowing his fans to post comments to him and keep up to date with his life. When fans follow/like etc a fan page, others become aware of them and this could promote the artist and his work, reeling in more fans

• The website offers a store for merchandising which helps bring in profit for the artists allowing fans to by t-shirts, mugs, wristbands and posters. If fans then go and wear/use these items, it could again promote the artist and increase his fan base

Example two: DVSLarge images of the artist as the background. Clear view of his designer clothing, which is a convention of the grime genre

Offers fans a biography to read up about his life, and for new fans to gain an insight into his life

Offers fans a way of contacting him, by promoting his social networking sites

Promotes his newest mixtape on the homepage for people to download

Instagram is one of the most popular social networking apps nowadays so by promoting his instagram on the homepage and showing a preview of his photos, fans will see this and follow him. And for those fans that don’t have instagram, it may encourage them to get the app

• Researching DVS was the most beneficial for making my own webpage as DVS is also from the grime genre, like my artist so I took this webpage into deep consideration when thinking about ‘Demolisher’s’ website

• As majority of DVS’s songs are about his life and struggles, the ‘biography’ tab is extremely useful and it will help fans understand the meaning behind his songs a lot more and it can help build a stronger relationship between the fan and artist as they feel as if they know him more

• Unlike Labrinth’s, DVS’s website is heavily reliant on images. This can be good as it makes it more interesting for the audience, as instead of reading a lot of information, they’d rather look at pictures

Example three: J ColeThe background image is from the video of his latest song ‘power trip’, helps promote his song

Gritty, messy font used to represent the ‘rap’ genre he is from. Also the dark use of colours represent his style of music and how he raps about his hard life and struggles

Promotes his social networking accounts so fans can engage with him

Checkout basket for when fans purchase his merchandise from his site

Range of tabs for fans to explore. Including news and photos for fans to keep up to date with what events and what J Cole is up to and attending. They can also check when he is touring or doing specific show dates

The latest work or things he has been up to show in large on the top

A quote that J Cole himself has said is used so fans feel as if the website is more real and personal, as if everything posted is by J Cole himself

Allows fan to subscribe so they receive the latest news about him

Latest news about his social life and his work

Allows fans to check if there is any events featuring J Cole or when the next one will be

Gives fans the opportunity to view MORE of his work, photos and forums

Option to download or buy straight from the website

Promotes his record label

This website was fairly helpful as J Cole is from the rap genre which is very similar to the grime genre. Also the issues covered in J Coles songs are very similar to those in Demolisher’s so the theme I use could be similar to this